How To Remove Malware and Viruses from Your Windows PC

Introduction

Malware and viruses can slow down your Windows PC, corrupt your files, steal your personal information, and cause a variety of other problems. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to remove malware and viruses from your Windows PC and prevent future infections. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of cleaning malware and viruses from your Windows computer.

Scan Your Computer With Antivirus Software

The first step is to scan your computer with antivirus software to detect and remove any malware or viruses.

Here are some tips for using antivirus software effectively:

• Make sure your antivirus software is up to date – Antivirus programs are frequently updated to detect the latest threats. Outdated software may miss newer malware.

• Perform a full scan – A full scan will scan every file and program on your computer, which can take a while but is more thorough than a quick scan.

• Quarantine or delete detected threats – Your antivirus software will alert you if it finds infections. You’ll typically have the option to quarantine the malware (isolate it) or delete it outright. Deleting is safer.

• Schedule regular scans – Set your antivirus to scan your computer on a regular basis to catch any new infections that may have slipped through. Once a week is generally recommended.

Popular antivirus programs include Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes. Use a reputable paid antivirus for the best protection.

Update Your Operating System and Software

Cybercriminals often exploit security holes in outdated software. Ensuring your operating system, browser, apps, and other software are up to date closes those security gaps.

• In Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security and click Check for Updates. Install any available updates.

• For web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, they should automatically install updates. You can check by going to Settings and looking for an update option.

• Update apps like Adobe Reader, Java, Zoom, and others through their built-in update settings or from their official websites.

• Consider enabling automatic updates where possible so you don’t have to manually apply updates.

Staying on top of updates helps remove vulnerabilities that malware relies on.

Use the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

Microsoft provides a free tool called the Malicious Software Removal Tool that can detect and remove malware that has made its way past your antivirus software.

To use it:

1. Open Windows Update and check for new updates.

2. Install any available updates, including the Malicious Software Removal Tool if it’s offered.

3. Once it finishes installing, reboot your computer.

4. The tool will automatically run a scan on reboot to remove any threats it finds.

Be sure to install the latest version of the tool each month to get the newest malware definitions.

Scan with Malware Removal Tools

Specialized malware removal tools can also help find and eliminate stubborn infections. Here are some top options:

• Malwarebytes – Provides a free scanner that complements antivirus software. It can detect adware, spyware, ransomware, and more.

• HitmanPro – Designed to identify “deeply embedded” malware that regular antivirus software misses. The free version allows a one-time scan.

• Zemana AntiMalware – Focuses on ransomware but can detect other threats too. Lets you do unlimited free scans.

These tools are free to download and easy to run. If they find anything, let them remove the infections automatically.

Check Browser Extensions and Add-Ons

Browser hijackers and adware sometimes sneak in bundled with free extensions. Evaluate your browser extensions and remove anything that looks suspicious or unnecessary.

In Chrome / Edge:

• Click the 3-dot menu > More Tools > Extensions
• Review your installed extensions
• Click Remove to uninstall unwanted ones

In Firefox:

• Click the 3-line menu > Add-ons
• Under Extensions and Themes, remove any unneeded add-ons
• Toggle off unnecessary Plugin-provided extensions

Stick to extensions from well-known, trusted brands to avoid malware.

Reset Your Browser To Default Settings

Resetting your browser removes any potentially malicious customizations or changes made by adware.

In Chrome / Edge:

• Type edge://settings/reset in the address bar
• Click Restore settings to their default values

In Firefox:

• Click the 3-line menu > Help > Troubleshooting Information
• Click Refresh Firefox

This will wipe all your custom settings so you’ll need to re-configure your browser after resetting.

Check For Suspicious Programs

Adware and other malware often install unwanted programs on your computer. Look for anything unfamiliar in your list of installed programs:

On Windows 10/11:

• Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Scroll through the list and uninstall anything suspicious

On earlier Windows versions:

• Press Win + R and type appwiz.cpl to open Programs and Features
• Go through the various programs and remove anything unfamiliar or unnecessary

Be cautious about removing programs you don’t recognize. When in doubt, search online to verify it’s malicious before uninstalling.

Run a Windows Defender Scan

Windows Defender is built into Windows and can also scan for malware. To run a scan:

• Type Windows Defender in the task bar search box
• Click Virus & threat protection
• Under Current threats, click Scan options
• Select the type of scan you want to run
• Click Scan now

Windows Defender will remove any threats it detects. Schedule occasional Defender scans in addition to your main antivirus.

Reboot Your Computer

After removing malware, it’s a good idea to reboot your computer. This clears out any malware that may still be running in the system’s memory.

Rebooting also ensures that any quarantined infections are deleted. Once your computer restarts, it should be cleaner.

Avoid Future Infections

Practicing safe computing habits going forward can help prevent your machine from getting infected again:

• Don’t click suspicious links or attachments – Be wary of emails, ads, and downloads from untrusted sources. These are common malware vectors.

• Only download apps from official stores – Stick to downloading software from trusted sources like the Microsoft Store and the official websites of software vendors. Avoid sketchy download sites.

• Don’t browse risky sites – Steer clear of pirated content, illegal streaming, and other shady corners of the web that are rife with malware.

• Make regular backups – Back up your important files so you have copies that can’t be encrypted or deleted if ransomware strikes.

• Keep your antivirus updated – Maintain an active antivirus subscription so you stay protected against new strains of malware over time.

With vigilance and prompt action when infections occur, you can keep your Windows computer free of viruses and other malware. Let me know if you have any other questions!